An epic battle to save the environment

After weeks of anticipation, what environmental justice activists feared most has come to pass. Trump finally released his Executive Order on Climate Action which calls on agencies to ignore the science of air pollution and pushes the EPA to dismantle all the environmental safeguards and policies established by the Obama Administration, including the Clean Power Plan. We – meaning those who understand the need for clean air, water, and good health - really don’t have a choice; we must fight back against this ghastly order to protect our health and our overall environment.

Donald Trump’s executive order would allow power plants to continue to spew unlimited amounts of pollution into our air while ignoring the climate crisis that threatens the United States and the world. His actions will unravel protections that are designed to save billions of dollars and thousands of lives. In fact, Trump’s order is the biggest attack on climate action in U.S. history ever.

Trump’s executive order clearly supports polluters and ignores reality. The reality of a fast-growing clean energy economy, the rise of green and clean energy jobs, the expansion of renewable energy sources and businesses, are viable examples of a positive reality that support and enhance our communities.

The recently released Clean Energy Jobs Report by the Sierra Club lists state by state to show clean energy jobs vastly overwhelm coal, oil, and gas in 41 states. Jobs data from the Department of Energy was analyzed to show how important clean energy is to boosting job growth in the U.S.

We have no desire to go backwards. Over the past six years, the Sierra Club and our coalition partners across the country have secured the retirement of nearly 250 U.S. coal-fired power plants, driving coal use down to its lowest level in history. We all know there is no such thing as ‘clean coal”. By utilizing benign sounding names and phrases, the Trump Administration will seek to sway public opinion and undo climate protections and safeguards. Because of the closing of many coal plants and the overwhelming desire for a cleaner safer environment, many states have already acted proactively to cut carbon pollution in their state. Even though Trump has tried to stop positive climate action and intervention, many states have already crafted plans that meet or exceed the Clean Power Plan’s 2030 emissions targets, and clean renewable energy growth will continue to grow nationwide.

The People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C., on April 29th will send an unprecedented message, a mandate of concern and determination to fight for our communities all across this country. This climate march will speak truth to power in the face of one of the harshest anti-environmental actions ever. Whatever the issue individuals most care about, the Clean Power Plan, fracking on public lands, promoting the antiquated use of burning coal for electricity, our communities will not be silent.

I predict the People’s Climate March will set off a rolling backlash against the Trump administration’s harmful attacks on our air, water and land resources, and, as it should be. An outraged populace will be emboldened to work to change the face of those elected officials that put polluter’s profits and the rich before the health and well-being of our families. Over the coming months and possibly years, people from all walks of life will be asked by hundreds of organizations to join in the fight for stronger environmental protection and protest the disgraceful actions taken by the Trump administration against the environment.

Rita Harris is the Senior Organizing Representative of the Sierra Club, Memphis.